Welcome to Retail Therapy by Prevention! In this series, our editors provide thoughtful, honest reviews of what we’ve been testing lately that we want you to know about—because we refuse to keep these game-changing finds all to ourselves. Whether you’re on a mission to find something specific or simply need a little retail therapy in the form of an impulse purchase, consider this your insider’s shopping guide to everything our team thinks is worth the buy.
I’m a major walker, and love Hokas for cushion and support (specifically I’m a huge fan of the Bondi 9s). So, when I took up running, I looked to Hoka to provide a comfortable, stable running shoe that doesn’t crush my toes at the front. I previously tested the Hoka Clifton 10s a few months ago, but found them better suited to my long walks due to a more cramped toe box. But Hoka offers a wide range of walking, running, and hiking shoes, including popular styles like the Clifton 9 Vs. Arahi 7, Bondi 9, and the Bondi Vs. Clifton models, so I knew I just needed to keep on trying until I found my perfect fit. Next up on my Hoka running shoe test list? The Hoka Arahi 8s. And after putting them to the pavement, I’m glad I did—they pleasantly surprised me.
Keep scrolling for my detailed review of the Hoka Arahi 8 after plenty of testing across different terrains and miles-long commutes.
How I tested
I’ve recently started running outside, and on average, I walk about six miles a day and run two to three times a week for roughly three miles. Having a supportive and lightweight shoe is essential for running, so my feet don’t feel cramped or weigh down my stride. I put these shoes to the test across different terrains to see how they would perform under various conditions, wearing them while running on both pavement and concrete.
The fit
I typically wear a size 6.5 in athletic sneakers, and I found that these run true to size. The sneakers are very breathable, comfortable, supportive, lightweight, and great for running. They feature a 3 mm balanced cushion that helped my feet feel supported when I want to pick up the pace. The shoes also give my feet plenty of room to move while I run without ever feeling cramped.
What I liked
The Arahis are stable, supportive, breathable, and stylish, with a rocker design that enhances running performance. A standout feature is how the rocker truly helped propel me forward and made my running pace quicker compared to other shoes—even the similar Hoka Clifton 10s. I also liked how comfortable they felt on pavement, offering both cushioning and sturdiness. Finally, I loved the black color—it’s perfect for running in NYC where my white Hokas tend to get dirty quickly.
What I don’t
I honestly don’t have many negative points to make about this shoe. If I had to choose one, I’d probably say that it isn’t the best for walking due to the rocker design, which made it feel a bit unstable during long-distance walks. I would recommend the Hoka Bondi 9 as an alternative—they make a great walking shoe that’s both supportive and comfortable.
The bottom line
Overall, I think this is a great shoe for runners—it’s supportive, stable, cushioned, breathable, stylish, and features a rocker design that helps propel you forward. I love a stable shoe for running so my toes don’t feel cramped at the front, and these were great for that. I also own the Hoka Clifton 10, but I found the Arahi 8 to be more supportive and a better option for long-distance runs, as my feet felt more secure and less cramped at the front of the shoe.
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